The Latin phrase, commonly translated to in wine there is truth, is one Toronto-based filmmker Sergio Navarretta says has a lot of merit.

As an appreciator of wine, Navarretta has spent a lot of time in Niagara’s wine country.

“I’ve always had a fascination with wine and food,” he said, adding that Niagara features world-class offerings for both.

“People don’t normally identify Canada with things that are cool or great. But Niagara-on-the-Lake is; it’s like the best-kept secret. People always think of Niagara as just the escarpment and the waterfalls,” he said. “It’s so much more. It’s such a beautiful area.”

Navarretta admits to spending a lot of time in the wineries and bed and breakfasts of Niagara-on-the-Lake and St. Davids. In fact it was while on a visit to the area that he came up with the idea for his next film, The Colossal Failure of The Modern Relationship. Set to film Sept. 6 though 25, when it came to picking shooting locations he said it was important have Niagara represent itself.

“I want to share the beauty of the area,” he said.

For the film, Navarretta teamed up with screenwriter Alessandra Piccione, who he previously worked with on the feature film Looking for Angelina. Working together, they drew from personal experiences of themselves and friends to tell the story of modern love with wine and food serving as a metaphor.

“It holds up a mirror to the characters and forces them to confront themselves,” he said.

The production crew from Platinum Image Film were in the region this week, scouting locations and putting together filming logistics for next month’s shoot. With one winery, Foreign Affair in Vineland, already locked in, producer Mallary Davenport said they’re still trying to find other ones that will suit their needs. They’re aiming for four between Vineland and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara College has already come as board as not just a shooting location, but in many ways, a partner as well.

“Niagara College has been unbelievable,” Davenport said, adding they’ve been working closely with president Dan Patterson. Students from the college will be shadowing the film crew to learn first-hand what goes into the making of an independent production — with some of the students getting hands-on experience.

“It’s sort of trial by fire,” she said, adding that in most cases that’s the best way to learn.

While a release date is still far away, Navarretta said they will be bringing the completed film back to Niagara for an area premiere before hitting the international film festivals and having a Canadian release.

The film company was tight-lipped about casting choices, only noting that the two leads are Canadians who have achieved a certain degree of success south of the border. The casting will be revealed closer to filming, Navarretta said.

The Colossal Failure of The Modern Relationship follows the aimless 30-year-old Cat as she begins a steamy love affair with her husband’s boss right before embarking on a weekend getaway to wine country with her husband, his boss and his boss’s girlfriend.

Part drama, part comedy Navaratta said the film will actually be a look at the state of the modern relationship.

“It presents questions, like is marriage a sustainable institution? Is it realistic to have the goal of being with one person forever or has it changed, should we just enter relationships with the idea of being present in the moment?”

Navaratta said the film isn’t setting out to answer any of those questions but rather to start the conversation; he wants people to think, talk and debate over the questions. Maybe over a glass of wine.